Jedediah Healy
Jedediah Healey was born in Dudley, MA on September 18, 1757. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Whitmore) Healey.
Jedediah came to Worcester around the time of the American Revolution. After the War he owned and operated a small carpentry shop at what is now the Burnside Building on Main Street. By trade he was a cabinet maker, and was famous for his humor and wit.
During the Revolutionary War he served as a Matross in Colonel Craft’s Artillery Company in 1776 and 1777. A Matross was an assistant to the Gunner, and helped them clean, load, and fire the large guns, and would guard the store wagons when not engaged in battle. After the War Jedediah was the Captain and later Major of Worcester's artillery companies. His company was very popular at the town's 4th of July celebrations.
On November 28, 1782 he married Sally Stowers. They had five children: John, Sally, Mary Whitmore, Nancy, and Nabby. John lived to adulthood but died at age 26 in Charlestown, SC. Sally married John Stow, but died in childbirth in 1810. Nabby died at only 5 months old. Mary and Nancy outlived their parents.
Jedediah was for a number of years the town sexton at the Old South Church, helping to maintain the building and grounds, and overseeing burials in the burying ground. In the mid-1780s he became one of the founding members of the new church led by Rev. Aaron Bancroft, though he continued as sexton at Old South through the 1790s.
Jedediah died in Worcester on February 7, 1821. His wife Sally had died only a few days earlier. They were originally buried in the Mechanic Street Burial Ground but moved to Hope Cemetery in 1878. Sadly Jedediah’s stone (if he ever had one) no longer exists -- he is laid to rest beside his daughter, Nabby. His original funeral rite included full Masonic honors.
From Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Volume 7, page 656:
Healey, Jedediah, Worcester. Capt. David Henshaw's (10th) co., Col. Thomas Crafts's (Artillery) regt.; joined regiment Nov. 2, 1776; service to Feb. 1, 1777, 2 mos. 28 days; roll sworn to in Suffolk Co. ; also, Matross, same co. and regt. service from Feb. 1, 1777, to date of discharge. May 8, 1777, 3 mos. 7 days.
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